Torsion-pivot balance



(No Model.) A. SPRINGER. 1

TORSION PIVOT BALANCE.

No. 340,013. Patented Apr. 13, 1886.

I [NI/EN TOR IVJT/VESSES: @fl4 L I 2' 4 may I w v w Unites ST ATES ALFRED SPRINGER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Tension-PIVOT BALANCE.

Application tiled July 6, 1895. Serial No. 170,681.

ZION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,013, dated April 13, 1886.

(X0 model.)

To n ZZ whom/ it inrty concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED SPRINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Torsion-Pivot- Balances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to torsion-pivot bal ances, its object being to produce a cheap and etl'ieient balance for ordinary counter use.

To this end it consists in the balance hereinafter described, embodying the principles of the torsion pivot with its known and measurable resistance to deflection, arranged to indicate the degree of beam deflection upon a graduated are bar under load placed in the scale-pan.

Mechanism embodying my invent-ion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figurelis a perspective. view of n'iyimproved balance complete; Fig. 2 a vertical section of the same, to which is added a substitute form of indicating mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, in which the parts described are indicated by letters of rel'- erence, it should be premised that it is inimaterial whether the pivots are attached rigidly to the beam and parallel bar or attached to separate frames, both modes of construction being heretofore described by me in Letters Patent. In the illustration of my invention, 1 have selected the latter, in which illustration A designates the base, B the pedestal or beamsupport, 6 the beam, and I) the scale-pan, of my improved balance. The pedestal or beamsupport consists ola torsion-frame, 0, resting upon supports a, and provided with an elastic wire or band, 1), carried around the frame Z) and secured thereto in tension. The upper horizontal portion of the band 1) serves as the fulcrumsupport of the beam 0, and the lower horizontal portion as the fixed pivot of a rigid link or bar, O, arranged parallel with and below the beam. The outer ends of the beam 0 and of the link 0' are connected at equal distances from their pivots p p to the upper and lower portions, respectively, of a wire or band, 1), stretched. over atorsioni'rame, b, similarly proportioned and constructed with the frame I), (omitting the mountingsupports.) Upon the frame I) is mounted the scale-pan D, upon supports (2, the connection of the beam 0 and the link 0 with the torsional pivots p p thus being such as to preserve the scale-pan supports always in a vertical position. The beam (J at its remote end is provided with a weight, w, to counterbalance the scale-pan, for which purpose it may be adjustablejn order to accommodate an additional holding-vessel for an article to be weighed or for convenience in ascertaining net weights.

In the drawings I have shown two arrangements of mechanism for actuating a pointer, either or both of which maybe employed. The first of these consists of an indicating-finger, E, suspended in a normally-vertical position from a pivotal support, 9, attached to the beampedestal and actuated by contact of a curved finger, h, upon the beam. As the beam defiects under load upon the scale-pan itinvolves a regularly-increasing torsional resistance of the pivots, the amount of deflection being in proportion to the load, and registered by the movement of the indicator E over the graduated arc plate I, from the initial point indicating the normal equilibrium. As this construetion practically limits the graduated arc to one-quarter of a circle, that shown at the right-hand of Fig. 2 may be substituted when a larger range of indication is desired. In the latter the beam (3 and link 0 are extended a convenient distance beyond the pivots p, and pivot-ally united by a ratchet-bar, is, engaging a spur-pinion carrying the indicatorhnger F at the end of a suitablymounted shalt. As the mode of mounting is well understood, and would in this case obscure the drawings, I have not thought it necessary to show the details of the bearings. The indicator F is thus enabled to move over an entire circle one or more times. The units of measure indicating the weight may thus be enlarged as desired.

I am aware that springgravity scales have long been known; but, owing to friction and the difliculty of securing unilorinity and durability in the employment of ordinary springs, they have not been favorably regarded. The construction I have described, however, furnishes a means of distributing the load over a number of pivots, thus taxing each in a very slight degree, l'ar within the limit of perfect and durable action.

It will be obvious that any number of additional pivots may be brought into play by adding torsionframes. similar to b, (omitting the pan-supports 01,) between the beam G and link I.

I claim as myi'nvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-- 1. A torsion-balanceemhodying.in combination,a weight-lever t'ulcrumed upon an elastic fulerumpivot acting torsion-ally and a suitable indicator whereby the amount of beamdetlection against the torsional resistance of the pivot measures the weight applied to the beam, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a gravity-balance, of a base, A, pedestal B, torsion-pivots p p, terminal connection b, a weight platform or support. an indicating-finger, and connecting mechanism for actuatin; the saute over a graduated are plate by the deflection of the beam, substantiall y as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED SPRINGER. Witnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, G. D. KERR. 

